Questions Arise Over County Development Funding In City Vision Package

A Tulsa County spokesperson is calling claims of blackmail, nonsense. The accusation came from a Tulsa city councilor as the Vision draft includes $30 million for improvements at the Tulsa fairgrounds.

But, some wonder why the city would fund county development.

Tulsa city councilors say if the county pursues a .1 percent sales tax, the $30 million for the Tulsa fairgrounds would be used to fund another project.

The county will likely pursue a sales tax, but for less than that amount.

Just two days ago, Tulsa County commissioners thought they had Vision funding for the fairgrounds in the bag.

"The people in the room that agreed to the $35 million at Expo Square included the mayor, city councilors, and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, and we walked out of that room saying we have an agreement," Tulsa County Commissioner, Ron Peters said.

But a lot changed, especially during the heated Vision meeting Tuesday night.

The fight for funding for public safety, transportation and economic development left city councilors questioning whether the city should fund improvements on county property.

1/27/2016 Related Story: Updated Vision List Reflects $160M In Spending Cuts

The Tulsa fairgrounds were slotted for $35 million, but could now see $30 million.

Councilor Blake Ewing spoke out against funding the county Tuesday night and accused Councilor G.T. Bynum and Mayor Dewey Bartlett of siding with the county because they're both running for mayor.

County spokesperson Michael Willis said the county has $70 million worth of capital improvements it needs to make to roads, parks, buildings and the fairgrounds.

If the city supplies $30 million for the fairgrounds, the county could pursue a .05 percent sales tax to make up the $40 million gap for the remaining projects, over about 30 years.

Willis said, that way, the county would not raise or lower taxes.

Councilor Phil Lakin and Dewey Bartlett said the county will get $30 million for the fairgrounds.

County commissioners will most likely vote on their sales tax at a meeting Monday.

It could be on the ballot in April, along with Vision.